Surprising? Probably. Because anyone who knows me, knows the amount of aggression I have inside me is comparable to that of a tired puppy, not to mention similar body strength to one. But nevertheless, those who know me also know that I love a good challenge, and I’ll try anything once.

Now, before you get too excited, I am still unsure if I will get in the ring for the All-Female Card in April; I want to see how things go in training first. My main goal for this challenge is to see just how fit I can get, doing intense training four to five times a week with the club.

I had ACL surgery a few months ago, and have subtly withered down to being the skinniest fat person you’ll ever meet. I am a noodle with arms, and I’m afraid of what is to come. So here we go.

I showed up for my first class on Sunday feeling nervous, but found myself surrounded by a group of women who were at all different levels of boxing, and were all very inclusive, warm, and excited to welcome newcomers to the club, so my jitters faded quickly.

We started the night out learning how to punch, and I don’t know if I got my point across earlier with the “tired puppy” or “noodle with arms” comments, but I’ve never thrown a punch in my entire life.

After we learned the proper throwing techniques, we strapped on some gloves and headed straight for the punching bags.

In the beginning, being as unsure of myself as I was, I threw quite a few flimsy little “giggle-punches,” but Ellen Connor, founder of the Sooke Boxing Club, as well as other women in the club, gave me multiple tips and words of encouragement to help boost some extra power into my throws.

We also worked on footwork, cardio and strength, doing things such as squats, skipping, push-ups and ab exercises in between punching practice. It was a hard workout, but I left the class feeling accomplished and energized.

After my first week of training, I am sitting at my desk struggling to lift my arms up high enough to type, wondering why I got myself in to this.

But it’s too late, I’ve signed the waiver, I’ve written this article, and my co-workers have already started calling me “Killer,” so I can’t turn back now. Not with all of you as my witnesses.

Whether you believe it or not, I am actually very excited to start this completely new journey, and am happy I get to share my experiences with you along the way.

Now enjoy the video below of me in a Santa sweater throwing my very first punches. And please, try not to feel too intimidated.

To share my pain and get involved with the Sooke Boxing Club, contact Ellen Connor at 778-356-2234.

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Dawn (Killer) Gibson will write every other week on her exploits at the Sooke Boxing Club.